Radiation: AERB team starts investigation into lapses by DU

The team probes lapses by DU in auctioning of radioactive material.

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PTI

New Delhi

May 1, 2010

UPDATED: May 1, 2010 15:36 IST

A team from the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) on Saturday launched investigation into the lapses by Delhi University in auctioning of radioactive material leading to the death of a labourer here recently.

The four-member team is also looking for certain radioactive pencils which are reportedly missing. The team went to the Physics Department which makes use of the radioactive material in its labs, sources said.

They spoke to the faculty members and inspected the lab to see how the material is being used and whether safety norms are adhered to by department. The department has been cordoned off and outsiders are not allowed entry.

The AERB on Thursday issued notice to the university to explain within two weeks how safety norms were violated and how the varsity could auction such material which could prove fatal.

Vice-Chancellor Prof Deepak Pental has admitted negligence on part of the university and said it took "moral responsibility.

Eleven people were admitted to hospitals last month after they were exposed to radiation in a scrap market in Mayapuri. A worker exposed to radiation later died in hospital.

The university was given authorisation for the gamma cell by the then Directorate of Radiation Protection in January 1970.

DU teachers' body demands removal of VC

A teachers' body of the Delhi University demanded removal of vice chancellor Prof Deepak Pental.

Delhi University Teachers' Association (DUTA) met here and decided to hold a demonstration in front of the vice chancellor's office on the issue on Wednesday.

DUTA on Friday had demanded the resignation of Pental.

"Pental has taken moral responsibility but he is not resigning from the post. Hence, we are demanding for his removal," DUTA president Prof A N Mishra said after the meeting of the executive committee of the association.

DUTA has demanded an impartial inquiry into the whole episode.

"We have no trust in the present inquiry committee set up by the university. The person who is heading the panel is close to the vice chancellor. This inquiry is an eyewash," Mishra alleged.

He claimed that the radioactive material was sold with the approval of vice chancellor Pental.

Meanwhile, a section of faculty member and staff in the Chemistry department are of the view that the radioactive material was sold by the head of department V S Parmar with the permission of Pental.

Pental was not available for comment.

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